Journal of Mass Communication & Journalism

In this era of globalisation, information accessibility is becoming more and more crucial to empower citizens
in their political, economic and socio-cultural engagements. However, in emerging democracies there are certain factors, that is, economic, cultural and political, which are still hindering the vast majority of the population from being included in the media and democratic discourse. Nevertheless, a new phenomenon of communication convergence is evolving in emerging democracies like Ghana and Nigeria, which is providing platforms for wide citizen engagements in the political and social discourse in societies. Communication convergence here involves the interaction of radio, television, newspapers, mobile phones and audiences as participants at the same forum in the media sphere. This phenomenon has radically enhanced citizens’ participation in the democratic processes in Ghana and Nigeria respectively. Proceeding from a phenomenological perspective, this paper shall discuss the media convergence practices in Ghana and Nigeria in relation to political engagements as well as citizens engagements using case studies of a regular radio programme (Kokrokoo, on Peace FM) in Ghana and a regular TV programme (Sunrise Daily, on Channel TV) in Nigeria. The paper will argue that citizens’ engagements as a result of the convergence of the mass media are central to the survival of democracy in both countries if properly harnessed.

This content analysis study explores if science-trained journalists are specifically writing science stories for
general media consumption in public relations divisions at U. S. comprehensive research universities. In a national economy today that rivals the Great Depression, are research universities able to hire more science-trained reporters to tell their stories about cutting edge science and technology? With the severe economic cutback of science-trained reporters at mainstream metropolitan newspapers and cable television stations from 2008-2012, who is left in the Fourth Estate to independently critique the science research produced at our comprehensive research institutions? Are those “laid off” science-trained reporters finding employment at comprehensive research universities? Are science-trained reporters writing those important science stories or do university general assignment staff reporters craft them for local, regional, national and international media consumption? This content analysis study of the 49 U.S. universities belonging to the Futurity.org science consortium suggests few science-trained reporters from 2008-2012 have been hired at the research universities. In fact, more general assignment writers with journalism degrees continue to craft most of the science stories for understaffed PR divisions of the major research universities belonging to Futurity.org science consortium.

This paper contains idea that sensationality could also appear in the news of bilateral misunderstanding. In this study, I assume that rather than framing the international public issues into subtantial frames, sensational news of international affairs would merely expose the news into emotionaly-sensitive or provocative frames of involving countries. In addition, I presume that the sensationality of international newscast could find its source in the emotional aspect of cultural identity relations between the relating countries. If the assumptions are confirmed, I would like to emphasize also what kind of sensational frames are being used and the logic order of the frames. I apply qualitative frame analysis approach to prove whether Metro TV newscast frame the news of ‘confrontations’ between Indonesia and Malaysia in the case of Pendet Dance usage in Malaysian advertisements whether in sensational frames or whether not. Employing Pan method, I identify four structural dimensions affecting frame formations: syntax, script,
thematic, and rhetoric of the narrative. In the other hand, I use interpretation method to analyzing voice, facial expressions, visual symbols and camera techniques which are parts of televison news text. The research found that sensationalism of Metro TV news about ‘Tari Pendet controversy’ is embodied through national sentiment frame and with several news framing that employed text features leading to sensationalism such as partiality, imbalance proportion, inaccurate information, labelisation that leads to negative connotation, and judgemental non-verbal expressions.

Public Relations activities cut-across public and private establishments. This has brought about an increase in the demand for practitioners in this profession. Because of this, people from allied disciplines such as International Relations, Labour Relations, Marketing, Advertising and Journalism have usurped the duties of Public Relations practitioners not even when they have neither been trained nor registered with the statutory body; the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). This work therefore, critically assesses the regulation of the practice of Public Relations in Nigeria by Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and further recommended ways of improving the regulation of the practice. Data for this study were obtained through primary sources (questionnaire and interview with officials of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, Scholars and Practitioners) while the secondary data were obtained through published materials. Findings showed that regulation of the practice of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations in Nigeria is necessary if sanity, discipline and professional excellence are to be attained and maintained. The study also revealed that most practitioners of the profession are not aware of the Institute and its activities. This means effective publicity campaign by the Institute and intensified collective efforts of practitioners must be pursued. Consequently, the researchers sought the advice of Public Relations Practitioners and Scholars on the way forward. Based on this submission, some recommendations on how to properly regulate the practice of Public Relations in Nigeria were advanced.

The paper attempts to analyze the significance of teaser advertising in integrated brand promotion. This study
examines the communication objectives and functions of teaser campaigns in above the line media. A critical
exploration of the nature, composition and uses of the campaigns provides significant indications towards the
scope of teaser advertising in particular and novel creative executions in general. The results suggest that teaser campaigns now, extend themselves beyond their principle function of ‘curiosity’ and are created largely with the twin objective of arousal of interest and consumer engagement. Both newspaper and television campaigns show use of both verbal and visual elements to tease the audience.